After 12mths of commitment to completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, a select group of yr13 pupils have finally achieved their goal. The dirty dozen (ask them about their expedition !) are Tom Grother, Rebecca Davies, Lauren Mcarthy, Shaun Clay, Andrew Griffin, Saffi Rikh, Dan Fish, Shirley Lau, Bethan Harrison, Catrin Rees, Harriet Costello and Carys Spencer. An official RCT Award ceremony will be held later in the year at a local venue tbc.

A special mention also to the following students who have gained certification in 3 out of 4 areas of the Award – Laura Brown, Lucy Davies and Kim Hawkes. Letters of confirmation, log books and Award badges can be collected from Miss Purcell. Well done to all!

In order to address the issue of skills shortages amongst school leavers the Welsh Assembly Government staged a free 3 day Careers Fair at the Millennium Stadium. SkillsCymru organised @100 exhibitors from major employment sectors to be present aiming specifically to provide information and taster activities for young people aged 14-19. Industries present included the Armed Forces and Emergency Services, local Universities and Tertiary colleges alongside representatives from industries such as Construction, Media and Performing Arts, Fashion, IT, Business, Catering, Sport and Healthcare. Pupils from the yr10 CoPE group attended, needing to fulfil a brief which was to involve themselves in as many taster activities as possible- as shown in the photographs. They also had to research post 16 options and collect evidence for their Wider Key Skills portfolios. Some also gained celebrity status after being pursued by journalists and featured on the BBC Wales Today news programme…

Congratulations to Tariq Phillips yr11 who has completed his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze level. After giving up his time to earn the Award for the last year he has undertaken the following activities: Volunteering for charity work with the Scouts, learning a language for the Skills section and improving his personal fitness in the gym for the Physical Recreation section. He completed the Expedition at the start of September by paddling along a lengthy stretch of river in the Wye Valley, choosing a canoe as his mode of transport. Well done Tariq!

Enrollment for Year 12

Enrollment for yr12 DofE will take place this week; 35 places (10 more than last year) will be offered for those willing to attempt to complete all sections within the next 16mths but additional places could be offered to those who do not wish to undertake an expedition but who are keen to volunteer their time usefully in or out of school or to learn or improve on an existing skill. They can still receive individual certificates for each completed section.

All 18 members of the silver D of E group passed the expedition section of their award by walking 40km over 3 days whilst carrying all of their equipment which, if you know any of the group, is quite an achievment! Special mention to the team who insisted on extending their adventure by walking in the opposite direction on day 1, leg 1 for an hour before correcting themselves…and missing the ‘obvious’ left turn home on day 3. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group at Y Pant is supported by Miss Purcell and Mr Howells.

Glad it didn’t rain!

The 16 remaining Silver level Duke of Edinburgh candidates from yr12 took part in a 2 day training session which covered the skills required to pass their Expedition section. Skills covered included cooking on a trangia, pitching a tent, selecting suitable equipment, emergency first aid, route planning and elements of the Country Code. Mr Pearsall, being a seasoned veteran of anecdotal warfare and bloodshed organised first aid training – eagerly assisted by Miss Harris who made sure Mr Pearsall didn’t reminisce too much – the photos however are not suitable for those with a nervous disposition…

After 3 days on foot with overloaded bags getting heavier by the mile the 15 remaining Duke of Edinburgh candidates from yr12 completed a 40km hike around some of the greenest (and hilliest) parts of the Brecon Beacons National park. Existing on a diet rich in super noodles and powdered milk the group experienced sunshine and showers, finding unique ways to descend steep slopes – forget staying upright – slide down feet first… Spending 2 nights under canvas without luxuries like showers and hot water can really test friendships but as each checkpoint was reached all 15 team members kept on smiling, especially at the finish! The assessor Chris Payne who co-ordinates the Gold Award at a local engineering firm commented that the group were a delightful and competent group of young people, all of whom would be capable of enrolling on their Gold award, once all of the Silver sections are completed and certificated. Well done team 2010, a pleasure working with you and thanks to all staff who helped with your training this year.

Team photo – blistered and bedraggled but glad to get rid of the rucksacks!

The yr10 CoPE Group recently met Welsh Assembly Member Jane Davidson when she attended a meeting at Clydach Vale Country Park to discuss a proposed hydro-electric generator project. The year 10 pupils, disguised as litter pickers, waited for the meeting to end and asked for a photograph with the politician. She joked with the group and complemented them on their involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award – as Minister for the Environment she is actively involved in ensuring the maintenance of countryside areas and public footpaths – and supports the Award. The group have been asked to volunteer their time to help with the construction of an outdoor classroom at the Park and will return later in the year. The photo below, shows Lloyd Richards, Kristian Pace, Aaron Rowley Williams, Jane Davidson (AM) Keiron Letheby, Brandon Stead and Tonio Judd.